Background

In 2025, the Republic of Moldova continues to navigate a challenging socioeconomic and geopolitical context. The country is transitioning from crisis response to longer-term resilience building, while its reform agenda – centered on economic modernization, energy transition, and governance strengthening – is being tested amid rising regional risks, growing public expectations, and constrained fiscal space.

Agriculture remains a central sector of the Moldovan economy, employing over one-fifth of the workforce and contributing around 12% of GDP. Including food processing, the agri-food sector accounts for 16% of GDP and 45% of total exports. Moldova’s fertile land supports diverse production and underpins the rural economy. However, the sector is characterized by a dual structure: large, competitive enterprises coexist with numerous small, low-productivity farms. Informality is widespread, with more than half of salaried agricultural workers employed without formal contracts.

Digital modernization of public services in both employment and agriculture is progressing but remains uneven. Key institutions continue to operate with fragmented data systems, weak interoperability, and limited analytical capacity. These gaps hinder policy implementation, reduce the effectiveness of subsidies and services, and limit the state’s ability to engage the most vulnerable rural populations.

In this context, the project promoting rural agriculture development and quality employment for the most vulnerable seeks to contribute to labour market inclusion and agricultural modernization through digitally enabled service delivery. UNDP’s engagement is focused on integrated and inclusive approaches – linking social protection, employment, and agricultural services through modern digital infrastructure and case management. Building on past experience in digital governance and service modernization, the initiative is well positioned to deliver scalable results that can be institutionalized and sustained beyond the project’s duration. It will contribute to Moldova’s broader objectives of fostering decent work, rural development, and sustainable EU-aligned transformation.

The project aims to strengthen Moldova’s institutional and digital governance systems in order to expand access to employment and modernize agricultural service delivery for vulnerable rural populations. Its focus is on enabling hard-to-employ individuals and farmers to benefit from more efficient, inclusive, and transparent public services.

On the employment side, the initiative seeks to make social protection and labour market services more accessible and better integrated, supported by digitally re-engineered institutional frameworks. 

In agriculture, the project will help farmers across the country, including smallholders and underrepresented groups, access modernized services that are transparent, equitable, and aligned with Moldova’s reform agenda and EU commitments.

The project directly supports Moldova’s EU accession process by advancing the implementation of the Reform Agenda, in particular subdomain 1.7 on agriculture and subdomain 4.3 on employment and labour markets. Within the agricultural sector, the initiative contributes to the operationalization of the digital National Farmers Registry (dNFR) and the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), both of which are prerequisites for Moldova’s compliance with the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) requirements under Chapter 11. The project also aims to strengthen transparency and accountability in agricultural governance through the introduction of conditionality and compliance mechanisms.

Institutional support will be provided to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) to reinforce their capacity to manage digital tools, improve administrative frameworks, and ensure transparent subsidy management. These reforms will be complemented by inclusive outreach measures to ensure equitable access to digital agricultural services for smallholders, women, and rural youth, fostering resilience and participation across rural communities.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization working to end poverty, inequality, and climate change. With a presence in 170 countries, UNDP partners with governments, civil society, and the private sector to help build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

UNDP Moldova seeks to contract a Project Analyst on Digital Governance in Agriculture (hereinafter “the Analyst”) to support the implementation of Promoting rural agriculture development and quality employment for the most vulnerable. The assignment will focus on coordinating activities under Component / Outcome 2, dedicated to agricultural governance and modernization through digital transformation.

The Analyst will work under the guidance of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Inclusive Growth Cluster, the UNDP Policy Specialist and Digital Development Specialist. 

The Analyst will serve as a key resource to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA), contributing to enhanced institutional capacities for transparent and EU-aligned agricultural service delivery.

The Analyst’s efforts will contribute to the modernization of agricultural governance and the digital transformation of service delivery in the sector. By supporting the development of transparent, efficient, and inclusive systems, the Analyst will help strengthen institutional capacities, improve access to agricultural services, and ensure alignment with Moldova’s broader reform agenda and EU commitments. Engagement with farmers, producer associations, and local stakeholders will be an integral part of the role, ensuring that digital solutions are inclusive, sustainable, and accessible to all categories of rural populations, including smallholders, women, and youth.

The Analyst’s key responsibilities will include:

Coordinate implementation of Outcome 2 dedicated to agricultural governance and digitalization

• Assume full ownership for the coordination and implementation of Outcome 2, focused on agricultural governance and digitalization, in close coordination with the Project Manager.
• Ensure that all activities and outputs under Outcome 2 are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with UNDP policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize, and monitor day-to-day implementation of Outcome 2, ensuring alignment with the overall project work plan and objectives.
• Liaise with implementing partners, consultants, and service providers engaged in agricultural governance and digital transformation activities, ensuring effective delivery and integration of results.
• Provide technical inputs to the project’s planning, reporting, and monitoring processes, reflecting progress, challenges, and lessons learned under Outcome 2.
• Ensure that interventions under Outcome 2 are inclusive, user-centric, and aligned with Moldova’s reform agenda and EU commitments, with specific attention to gender equality and engagement of smallholders, women, and youth.

Contribute to the agricultural policy and governance processes

• Contribute to the development and refinement of policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks related to agricultural service delivery and digital transformation.
• Provide analytical inputs and practical recommendations on strengthening agricultural governance and ensuring alignment with Moldova’s EU accession commitments.
• Facilitate consultations with farmers, producer associations, and other stakeholders to ensure inclusiveness, transparency, and local ownership.

Strengthen institutional capacity, coordination, monitoring, and knowledge management

• Support MAFI and AIPA in building institutional capacities to manage digital systems, monitor subsidy allocation, and improve accountability in agricultural service delivery.
• Organize workshops, trainings, and knowledge-sharing sessions for public officials, farmers’ groups, and other partners.
• Prepare progress reports, policy briefs, and other knowledge products capturing lessons learned, best practices, and results from Outcome 2 of the project.
• Maintain documentation and tracking tools to monitor implementation progress and ensure compliance with UNDP requirements.
• Ensure effective coordination with the Project Manager, UNDP Moldova Policy Specialist, Employment and Social Protection Programme Specialist, and Digital Development Specialist, aligning technical and digital solutions with governance and policy objectives.
• Support visibility and communication activities, highlighting project results and partnerships.

Institutional Arrangements

The Project Analyst will report to and be directly supervised by the Project Manager (NPSA-9), who assumes overall responsibility for the coordination and implementation of the project and Outcome 1 on employment and social protection. The Analyst will have full ownership of the implementation of Outcome 2 on agricultural governance and digitalization, while ensuring close coordination with the Project Manager to align with the overall project objectives and work plan.

The Analyst will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Moldova Policy Specialist, the Employment and Social Protection Programme Specialist, and the Country Office Digital Development Specialist, who will provide quality assurance and technical support for digital development activities. The Analyst will also coordinate closely with the Project Associate on operational, financial, and administrative matters.

Externally, the Analyst will serve as a key contact point for national counterparts, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA), as well as for farmers’ associations, cooperatives, and other relevant stakeholders engaged in the project.

The incumbent is expected to ensure full compliance with UNDP’s administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, and to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, quality, and policy relevance in all deliverables.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies:

Business Management           

• Project Management: 
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
• Working with Evidence and Data:     
  • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Business Development          

• Knowledge Facilitation:           
  • Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information, and ideas. 
  • Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange

Digital 

• Creative facilitation: 
  • Ability to design workshops that considers and addresses multiple interests, agendas, worldviews; set out clear objectives and engaging activities; select appropriate tools, materials, resources that are needed to enable or support the activities.

Communications       

• Campaign management:     
  • Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change

Legal   

• Legal research:             
  • The ability to identify and retrieve information to support legal positions and corporate decision making from all relevant sources. In the UNDP context, this skill includes, amongst other things, proactive seeking of information in anticipation of the different angles that any given issue may present.

Partnership management     

• Relationship Management:   
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Agriculture (including Agricultural Economics and/or Management), Rural Development, Economics, Public Administration, Law, Political Science, or another field relevant to Agricultural Policy, Governance, and Institutional Development is required, OR;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience, at the national or international level, in assignments related to agricultural policy, governance, rural development, public administration, or project implementation.

Desired skills:

• Proven experience in coordinating or supporting the implementation of projects in agriculture, rural development, governance, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with agricultural producers, farmers’ associations, cooperatives, or other rural organizations in the design and implementation of development initiatives.
• Proven records of strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, briefs, and knowledge products for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in the use of standard office software and digital tools for project management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience with agricultural policy, subsidy management, or digitalization of public services.
• Familiarity with Moldova’s agricultural governance framework and EU accession processes, particularly in the area of agricultural modernization.
• Previous experience with UN agencies, international organizations, or development partners 
• Experience in capacity development, facilitation of training, or stakeholder consultations with farmers, cooperatives, or rural organizations.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Professional certificates:

• Additional training or certification in project management, agricultural policy, public administration, or digital governance will be considered an advantage.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.